TIDMCLST TIDMCLSU
RNS Number : 8180S
ClearStar,Inc.
22 March 2016
22 March 2016
ClearStar, Inc.
("ClearStar" or the "Company")
Preliminary Results
Increased revenues and reduced cost base resulted in EBITDA
positive for H2 2015
ClearStar (AIM: CLST and CLSU), a leading technology and service
provider to the background check industry, is pleased to announce
its unaudited results for the twelve months ended 31 December
2015.
Financial Highlights
-- Revenues increased by 42% to $15.5 million (FY 2014: $10.9 million)
-- Gross profit increased by 50% to $9.5 million (FY 2014: $6.3 million)
-- Gross margin increased by 320 basis points to 61.2% (FY 2014: 58.0%)
-- Operating expenses reduced by over $1.8 million on an
annualised basis during H2 2015, primarily due to the
implementation of operational and technological efficiencies from
the integration of SingleSource Services Corporation
("SingleSource"), following the acquisition of its assets in
December 2014
-- EBITDA improved better than expected to $956,000 loss (FY
2014: $1.3 million loss), due to positive EBITDA in H2 2015 of
$334,000 (H2 2014: $1.4 million loss)
-- As of 31 December 2015, the Company had net cash of $3.9
million (30 June 2015: $4.2 million)
Operational Highlights
-- Increased sales across all divisions, with growth in business
activity from existing clients through the introduction of new
software functionality and the cross-selling of services as well as
from the addition of new clients and markets
-- Processed approximately 7.2 million screening services (FY
2014: 6.5 million) on over 2.2 million people (FY 2014: 2.0
million) that were provided to over 28,000 (FY 2014: 27,000)
end-users
-- Successful integration of SingleSource resulted in
significant growth in direct sales customers with Direct Services
revenues increasing to $3.8 million (FY 2014: $0.5 million)
-- Channel Partners and Consumer Reporting Agencies ("CRAs")
Division continued to be the largest contributor to revenues
-- Direct Services Division was the fastest growing division in
the Company with revenues increasing by 660% to $3.8 million (FY
2014: $0.5 million)
-- Medical Information Services Division sales grew by 23%
year-on-year as it gained market share from competitors and saw
growth amongst its existing client base
-- Global Division developed a new platform to satisfy interface
and architectural demands outside the US and commenced preparations
to deliver first multi-lingual contract in France
-- Three-year contract with leading global relocation and
specialised logistics solutions provider will include maiden
deployment of biometrics recognition software and mobile
solution
Robert Vale, CEO of ClearStar, commented: "This has been a
transformational year for ClearStar as we've increased sales across
all of our divisions. We have introduced operational efficiencies
and reduced the cost base thereby positioning the Company for
growth. We continued to focus on the development of our technology,
which resulted in the introduction of leading-edge solutions for
mobile devices and including biometrics recognition software as
well as the initial deployment of our global platform.
"The Company entered 2016 with strong revenue momentum. The
Company is receiving increasing demand for its services across its
divisions, which it expects to continue. In addition, as a result
of the cost control measures and operational efficiencies, the
Company now has the right people focused on the right markets at a
greatly reduced cost base thereby strengthening the foundations of
the business. Consequently, the Board is confident of achieving
sustained growth and of delivering value to shareholders."
Enquiries:
ClearStar
---------------------------------- -----------------
Robert Vale, Chief Executive
Officer
David Pattillo, Chief Financial
Officer +1 770 416 1900
---------------------------------- -----------------
Cenkos Securities (Nominated
Adviser and Broker)
---------------------------------- -----------------
Max Hartley, Corporate Finance
Julian Morse, Sales +44 20 7397 8900
---------------------------------- -----------------
Luther Pendragon
---------------------------------- -----------------
Harry Chathli, Claire Norbury,
Oliver Hibberd +44 20 7618 9100
---------------------------------- -----------------
About ClearStar
ClearStar is a technology and service provider to the background
check industry, supporting background screening companies,
employers and employees with their recruitment and employment
application decisions. ClearStar provides employment intelligence
to its clients through a suite of IT applications for day-to-day
use in their business. Employment intelligence aims to improve
business insight to support better recruitment and other decisions
affecting employees generally, by increasing the quality,
reliability and visibility of information available to
management.
The Directors of ClearStar believe that the Company offers one
of the most complete independent IT application suites that provide
employment intelligence. The suite comprises of a collection of
applications which utilises data from over 4,200 sources and 240
countries ranging from résumés to records with local authorities.
ClearStar's primary business involves searching the relevant source
of data for speci c employment intelligence information based on
clients' bespoke requirements for its employment applicants.
ClearStar extracts the required input, and this information is then
processed, allowing the client to make a swift decision in respect
of the relevant applicant, thereby minimising bottlenecks in the
decision-making process. ClearStar's 'Aurora' platform has
delivered employment intelligence to over 28,000 employers,
including many global blue-chip companies.
www.clearstar.net
Operational Review
During the twelve months ended 31 December 2015, the Company
achieved strong growth with revenues 42% higher at $15.5 million
(FY 2014: $10.9 million). This was due to increased business
activity across all three divisions, along with additional revenues
of $2.7 million as a result of the Company's acquisition of
SingleSource in December 2014.
In recognition of the evolving nature of the business, during
the second half of the year, ClearStar implemented cost control and
operational efficiency initiatives to streamline the Company. This
was rendered possible through increased operational and
technological efficiencies as well as synergies through the
acquisition of SingleSource, such as the migration of all customers
to a single platform. The Company successfully executed on, and
expedited, the implementation, which resulted in the reduction of
operating expenses by approximately $1.9 million on an annualised
basis in the second half of the year.
ClearStar maintained its focus on R&D to sustain innovation
and product development to introduce new functionality to improve
user experience, increase operational efficiencies and ensure
seamless business partner integrations. The Company achieved a
significant milestone with the completion of the development of its
new global platform to satisfy interface, compliance and
architectural demands outside the US. ClearStar also commenced the
implementation of its biometrics recognition software and a device
agnostic solution with electronic address book - aimed for use on
mobile devices - that are designed to increase the speed and
efficiency of the recruitment process, whilst enhancing the
applicant screening experience. This is particularly beneficial for
remote hiring and when large numbers of temporary workers are
employed on a sustained basis.
Channel Partners and Consumer Reporting Agencies ("CRAs")
Division
In this division, ClearStar provides white labelling technology.
Data logistics services are provided to Channel Partners and CRAs
who use the Company's technology to perform background checks on
job applicants.
The division continued to be the largest contributor to overall
revenues. Sales for 2015 increased by 8% to $6.97 million (FY 2014:
$6.45 million). This was primarily as a result of increased
business from some of the Company's largest clients. During the
period, ClearStar made ongoing improvements to its offering to
Channel Partners and CRAs, including adding new integration points
to client-centric systems, such as applicant tracking systems;
product development in areas of data distribution; and improvements
to user interface.
Direct Services Division
In this emerging segment, ClearStar provides background check
services directly to clients, which are mainly employers.
This was the fastest growing division in the Company with
revenues increasing by 660% to $3.8 million (FY 2014: $0.5
million).
In December 2014, ClearStar completed the acquisition of
SingleSource, thereby transforming this business division. This
resulted in a significant increase in direct sales clients and
approximate revenue growth of $2.7 million in 2015. The Direct
Services division now serves approximately 2,900 active clients
compared with approximately 500 in 2014 prior to the acquisition
and 2,300 in H1 2015.
During the period, ClearStar strengthened and expanded its
direct sales and services team, with the addition of several
experienced sales people and operational support personnel, to
capitalise on attractive market opportunities within the growing US
screening market. This has enabled the Company to upscale,
targeting larger customer accounts. As a result, in the second half
of the year, the Company won its largest direct sales contract to
date with the award of a three-year mandate, which has an estimated
value of $500,000 per year with revenue recognition to commence in
H2 2016, by a leading global relocation and specialised logistics
solutions provider, which is headquartered in the US.
Medical Information Services Division
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In this division, ClearStar provides services to organisations
for the purpose of drug and alcohol tests, mainly for
employees.
Sales for 2015 increased by 23% to $4.8 million (FY 2014: $3.9
million). This was derived from both gaining market share from
competitors, and from growth amongst ClearStar's existing client
base which is mainly in the healthcare, education, manufacturing
and transportation industries.
Drug testing remains the largest contributor to division
revenues, accounting for approximately 85%. However, growth in the
division's other products, such as clinical testing and
occupational testing, also contributed to the increase in
revenues.
Global Division
The Global Division is the Company's newest unit, having been
established following ClearStar's IPO in July 2014 with the Company
setting up its international base in the UK. Prior to this,
ClearStar had a limited presence outside the US. Today, ClearStar
can supply background checks globally.
During 2015, ClearStar achieved a significant milestone with the
development of a new global platform to satisfy interface and
architectural demands outside the US. In the second half of the
year, ClearStar commenced preparations to deliver a contract with a
screening company located in France to license the Company's new
global platform for both employment and tenant screening.
Significantly, this represents the first multi-lingual
implementation of the system.
Financial Review
The Company recorded a strong financial performance, with total
revenues increasing by 42% for the twelve months ended 31 December
2015 to $15.5 million compared with $10.9 million in the prior
year. All three revenue-generating business units experienced
strong growth, led by Direct Services with year-on-year growth of
660% followed by MIS with 23% and Channel Partners and CRAs with
8%.
Gross profit increased by 50% for the twelve months ended 31
December 2015 to $9.5 million, compared with $6.3 million for the
twelve months ended 31 December 2014. Gross profit margin improved
by 320 basis points to 61.2% from 58.0% for the same period of the
previous year. The increase was primarily due to the shift in the
product mix with an increased contribution to revenues from Direct
Services, which has a higher gross margin than services to MIS and
CRAs, along with purchase economies. Management believes gross
margin will continue to improve due to on-going economies of scale
being achieved and continued growth in the Direct Services
division.
Research and Development was $808,000 for the twelve months
ended 31 December 2015 compared with $646,000 for the same period
in the previous year. This increase is attributable to increased
staff costs in both software development and in the Company's
Global Division. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.5 million for
the twelve months ended 31 December 2015 compared with $795,000 in
2014, primarily due to an increase in experienced sales
professionals in the Direct Services division.
Total operating expenses, net of depreciation and amortisation,
were $10.4 million for the twelve months ended 31 December 2015
compared with $7.6 million for the twelve months ended 31 December
2014. The largest component of operating expenses was general and
administrative, which was $8.2 million for the twelve months ended
31 December 2015 compared with $6.2 million for the same period in
the previous year. This $2.0 million increase was largely
attributable to an increase of $857,000 in costs associated with
the operations of SingleSource that was acquired in December 2014.
However, as a result of the cost control initiatives introduced in
the second half of 2015, the Company achieved a reduction in
operating expenses of approximately $1.9 million on an annualised
basis.
As a result of the reduction in operating expenses, EBITDA for
the twelve months ended 31 December 2015 was significantly improved
at a $956,000 loss (FY 2014: $1.3 million). This was primarily due
to the Company achieving positive EBITDA of $334,000 for the second
half of the year compared with expectations of reaching around
breakeven for H2 2015.
The Company reported a loss before tax of approximately $2.3
million for 2015 compared with a loss before tax of approximately
$1.7 million for the prior year.
The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of 31 December 2015 remained
strong. Total assets were $11.8 million on 31 December 2015 (30
June 2015: $12.2 million) with the largest assets being goodwill
and other net intangible assets of $5.3 million, net cash of $3.9
million and accounts receivable of $1.6 million.
The Company's total liabilities as of 31 December 2015 were $1.7
million (30 June 2015: $1.6 million), and stockholders' equity was
$10.2 million (30 June 2015: $10.6 million), resulting in a
debt-to-equity ratio of 20%. Long-term liabilities decreased to
$221,000 at 31 December 2015 from $272,000 at 30 June 2015 and
$326,000 at 31 December 2014.
The Company utilised $1.0 million in cash in operating
activities and $1.5 million in investment activities. These
investment activities consisted of $1.4 million in capitalised
software costs. The Company paid $90,000 on financing activities
related to capital lease obligations.
Outlook
The Company entered 2016 with continued strong revenue momentum.
The Company is receiving increasing demand for its services across
each of its divisions, which it expects to continue. The
development, and introduction, of new software functionality for
existing clients is expected to continue to drive revenue growth.
In addition, as a result of the cost control measures and
operational efficiencies, the Company now has the right people
focused on the right markets at a greatly reduced cost base thereby
strengthening the foundations of the business. Consequently, the
Board is confident of achieving sustained growth and of delivering
value to shareholders.
CLEARSTAR, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(USD, in thousands)
Year Year
Ended Ended
31 December 31 December
2015 2014
(unaudited)
$ $
Net revenue 15,516 10,921
Cost of revenue 6,023 4,590
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Gross profit 9,493 6,331
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Operating expenses
Selling and marketing 1,474 795
Research and development 808 646
Depreciation and amortization 1,287 473
General and administrative 8,167 6,157
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Total operating expenses 11,736 8,071
Loss from operations (2,243) (1,740)
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Other expense
Interest expense (22) (7)
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Total other expense (22) (7)
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Net loss before taxes (2,265) (1,747)
Provision for income taxes 1 4
Net loss (2,266) (1,751)
=========================== ============================
CLEARSTAR, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(USD, in thousands)
As of As of
31 December 31 December
2015
(Unaudited) 2014
$ $
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash 3,893 6,477
Accounts receivable -- trade, net 1,609 1,096
Research and development tax credits 82 27
Prepaid expenses 291 212
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Total current assets 5,875 7,812
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Property and equipment, at cost
Computer equipment 749 681
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Furniture and fixtures 279 260
Leasehold improvements 72 63
Less accumulated depreciation (412) (154)
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Total property and equipment, net 688 850
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Other assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets 5,268 4,901
Deposits 11 13
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Total other assets 5,279 4,914
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Total assets 11,842 13,576
=========================== ===========================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable 1,203 574
Accrued liabilities 82 164
Deferred revenue 54 102
State income taxes - 4
Current portion of obligations
under capital lease 92 82
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Total current liabilities 1,431 926
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Long--term liabilities
Accrued liabilities 50 55
Obligations under capital lease,
net of current portion 171 271
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Total long--term liabilities 221 326
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.0001 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorised;
36,302,900 shares issued and outstanding 4 4
Additional paid--in capital 13,478 13,346
Retained earnings (3,292) (1,026)
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Stockholders' equity 10,190 12,324
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Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity 11,842 13,576
=========================== ===========================
CLEARSTAR, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
Equity
(USD, in thousands, except no. of shares)
Retained
Additional Earnings
Common Stock Paid-in (Accumulated
Shares Amount Capital Deficit) Total
No. $ $ $ $
Balances at 1
January
2014 1,000.00 332 15 725 1,071
Stock issued for
cash prior to
IPO 36.27 315 - - 315
Reclassification
of contributed
capital (1,036.27) (647) 647 - -
Stock issued for
contributed
capital 20,725,400 2 - - 2
Stock issued at
IPO, net of IPO
costs of $2,586 15,577,500 2 12,624 - 12,626
Non-cash stock
compensation - - 61 - 61
Net loss - - - (1,751) (1,751)
Balances at 31
December 2014 36,302,900 4 13,346 (1,026) 12,324
Non-cash stock
compensation 132 132
Net loss (2,266) (2,266)
--------------------- ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ----------------------
Balances at 31
December 2015 36,302,900 4 13,478 (3,292) 10,190
--------------------- ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ----------------------
CLEARSTAR, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(USD, in thousands)
Year Year
Ended Ended
31 December 31 December
2015 2014
(unaudited)
$ $
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss (2,266) (1,751)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Change in allowance for doubtful
accounts 5 12
Depreciation and amortization 1,287 473
Non-cash stock compensation 132 61
Change in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable (518) (445)
Research and development tax credits (55) 95
Prepaid expenses (79) (152)
Net payments made on amounts due
to shareholders - (26)
Deposits 2 (10)
Accounts payable 629 557
Accrued liabilities (86) (125)
Deferred revenue (48) 70
State income taxes (4) 4
Total adjustments 1,265 514
------------------------- -----------------------
Net cash used for operating activities (1,001) (1,237)
------------------------- -----------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of goodwill and intangibles - (4,000)
Acquisition of property and equipment (96) (488)
Capitalised software development
costs (1,396) (803)
Net cash used for investing activities (1,493) (5,292)
------------------------- -----------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal payments on long-term
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